PORT ANGELES — Port Angeles returns goal scorers, creative set-piece takers, defenders with experience and a goalkeeper who posted shutouts in half of the team’s matches as the Roughriders made a surprise trip to the Class 2A State Girls Soccer Tournament.
“We did a nice job, except against Bainbridge, of limiting goals,” coach Daniel Horton said. “Midfield and defense will be strong and will keep teams from running on us. We have been so young for so many years. We have a lot of girls in the program who know the expectations.
“We surprised some teams around the district and state. We were probably a year ahead of schedule, so that means we have very high expectations. We should be able to make a run at postseason again this season.”
Second-team All-Olympic Leaguer Teanna Clark is the team’s leading returning scorer (nine goals, nine assists in 2023).
“Teanna is someone we will be leaning on, that’s why she’s moving from the outside,” Horton said. “She was involved in everything last year and we had her isolated to one side of the field. “We had her on our left because teams usually put their stronger striker on the right. Teanna also has a decent left foot and can swing balls in as well. She’ll be involved in all our corners and free kicks. We need her to be involved as much as possible.”
Another three-year starter is forward Kedryn DeScala, who chipped in with four goals and seven assists in 2023.
“Kedryn is a very controlled player, comfortable with her back to the goal and she’s able to distribute as well as score,” Horton said.
Junior goalkeeper Kennedy Rognlien was a second-team All-Olympic League choice last fall.
“We tell Kennedy and tell everyone else we have the best goalkeeper in the league and as far as you can travel,” Horton said. “It will be hard to find a goalie better than her. She had nine shutouts last year. A big part of that is the defense, but she makes saves that I know others can’t make.”
The Riders also have a sophomore utility player in Morgan Politika. Politika scored once as a freshman and is likely to spell DeScala for rest periods.
“Morgan is learning multiple positions and she’ll be a change-of-pace player. She’s different from Kedryn in Morgan wants to put her hair back and fly and wants to use quickness and athleticism to pester the other team.”
Becca Manson played a number of roles for the Riders in 2023, notching three goals and an assist.
Defenders Cayliegh Alward, Sophia Richie and Brooke Pierce all received extensive varsity time last fall and will be counted on once again.
Lone senior starter Ava-Anne Sheahan will lead the defense at center back.
“Everyone is accepting their role and we are looking at Ava for that leadership and she’s done a nice job of stepping up,” Horton said. “Our younger girls are quiet, but they are observing and watch closely.”
Horton said the incoming freshman class is full of capable players thanks to the efforts of Storm King Soccer Club.
“The whole freshman group you can tell they played a lot of soccer growing up with Storm King,” Horton said. “They have a lot of knowledge of the game. These freshmen love soccer. Some of them referee [youth games] on weekends and they know the game.”
Three freshmen made varsity in Maddy Walton, Mariah Traband and Lily Lancaster.
“We expect them to have big impacts and contribute,” Horton said.
“We told them their job is to earn their spot, and the returners, their job is to force them to keep their starting role,” Horton said.
Horton expects Bainbridge and North Kitsap to be two of the Olympic League’s top teams.
“A lot of up-and-coming teams after that,” Horton said. “Hopefully we are pushing for one of those two spots. With so many returners, my goal is to fight for a league title. Some won’t agree with that, but that’s a goal for us.”
Port Angeles Roughriders
• Head coach: Daniel Horton (3rd season: 18-11, 22-13 overall)
• Last year’s record: 8-6-0 Olympic League, 11-7-0 overall, advanced to Class 2A State Tournament.
• Key Returners: Ava-Anne Sheahan (CB, Sr.); Kedryn DeScala (F/M, Jr.); Becca Manson (D/CM, Jr.); Kennedy Rognlien (GK, Jr.); Teanna Clark (CM, Jr.); Pyper Alton (OM, Jr.); Cayliegh Alward (CB, Jr.); Sophia Richie (Def., So.); Brooke Pierce (Def., So.); Allison Fricker (MF, Jr.); Morgan Politika (F/MF, So.).
• Newcomers: Maddie Walton (Def./Fr.); Mariah Traband (MF, Fr.); Lilly Lancaster (MF/Fr.)
• Strengths: Midfield and defense are solid. Riders are a danger to score on set pieces thanks to Clark’s abilities. Other goal scorers need to emerge.
• Areas to improve: “With no timeouts, it can be hard to adjust on the fly,” Horton said. “We were so young last year we struggled with changing our strategy on the fly. So this season we want to be able to change up our tactics a little faster if we have to.
• Outlook: Roughriders’ run to state in 2023 was unexpected. How will the team perform with added expectations?
KEITH THORPE/PENINSULA DAILY NEWS Port Angeles Ava-Anne Sheahan, right, is the Roughriders lone returning senior starter from last season’s state-bound girls soccer team.
